Varicose veins – often occurring as bulging, twisting blue or purple lines that appear on the legs and feet, and for some, causing tingling, numbness, and discomfort, particularly if you stand for long periods. Fortunately, medical advances have made eliminating varicose veins easier over the years. At Advanced Vein Therapy, we offer a multitude of treatment options performed by highly skilled and board-certified radiologists. Below, we outline the options available and what you can expect in terms of recovery.
Varicose Vein Treatment at Advanced Vein Therapy
Varicose veins are a symptom of venous disease, a common medical condition in which the valves that help pump blood through our veins have weakened. As a result, blood pools in the veins, causing discoloration and possible bulges to appear.
In the past, the primary way of treating varicose veins was through vein stripping, a surgical procedure generally performed in hospitals under anesthesia. The procedure itself is invasive and uncomfortable for the patient, while also requiring a potentially lengthy recovery period. Today, there are more advanced and effective options that can be used to eliminate varicose veins.
At Advanced Vein Therapy, we offer minimally invasive treatments which include:
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which relies on radio wave energy to collapse and close the vein, causing the blood to be rerouted to other healthy veins.
- Venaseal, which uses an FDA approved medical glue that is injected into the affected vein. This procedure is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia, avoiding patient discomfort associated with multiple needle sticks.
- Phlebectomy targets affected veins that are located just under the skin through tiny incisions or needle punctures that do not require stitches.
- Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT), uses a small amount of light energy to close and seal the vein.
- Sclerotherapy involves injecting a foamy solution that irritates and then closes the faulty vein, rerouting blood to healthier veins,
Among the many benefits of these vein treatment options, are that they can be performed directly in our office by our highly trained and experienced interventional radiologists, who specialize in the treatment of varicose veins and other venous diseases.
How Long Does Vein Ablation Take to Heal?
At Advanced Vein Therapy, treatments such as radiofrequency ablation are highly effective in treating varicose veins. As the procedure requires only a small incision and local anesthesia, patients experience a minimal amount of discomfort while it is being performed. They also receive the benefit of experiencing minimal downtime after the procedure.
Compared to more invasive surgical procedures that were previously used in varicose vein treatment, vein ablation offers the following benefits:
- Allows for the procedure to be performed in our office;
- No general anesthesia means less monitoring and downtime afterward;
- Smaller incision sizes eliminate the need for stitches;
- The use of radio waves or laser energy allows doctors to target the affected area.
There may be some minor discomfort or redness in the area immediately after the procedure, and you will need to use compression stockings for several days to prevent swelling and inflammation. You will also be encouraged to walk 30 to 40 minutes per day to facilitate the healing process. Otherwise, patients are generally able to resume their normal work or other daily activities.
How Long Will it Take for My Varicose Veins to Disappear?
One of the biggest concerns patients have regarding the different types of treatment options for varicose veins is how effectively they work in eliminating varicose veins. In many cases, you may begin to see improvement immediately after treatment.
With vein treatment, the damaged vein does not actually heal. Instead, the blood is rerouted to healthier veins, which then causes the varicose vein to disappear. The exact time it takes for the veins to disappear can range from several weeks to a month or more after treatment, depending on the severity and number of varicose veins you have treated. In most cases, recovery after vein ablation is so complete that eventually, the appearance of them will be virtually invisible even to ultrasound machines.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Treatment Options Today
Have you been putting off treatment of your varicose veins over concerns about healing times or effectiveness? Advanced Vein Therapy can guide you through the latest, more effective, and minimally invasive options available. To find out if you are a candidate for vein ablation treatment, contact our Boise, Idaho office today.